Jenny Saville at Ca' Pesaro: Figurative Painting in Focus

Jenny Saville at Ca' Pesaro: bodies and material paint

The Galleria Internazionale di Ca' Pesaro in Venice is presenting a major exhibition dedicated to Jenny Saville, one of the leading voices in contemporary figurative painting. The show gathers works that emphasize the physicality of the human body through dense, tactile brushwork and a sustained dialogue with historical and modern influences.

Why see it

• Key works on display: landmark paintings such as Propped (1992) and the double portrait Hyphen (1999) are shown alongside later pieces that underline Saville's painterly language.
• Main themes: the body, flesh, the interplay of tenderness and rupture, and contemporary reinterpretations of the Pietà motif.
• Curatorial approach: the exhibition layout highlights paint as material and the relationship between portraiture and figure, producing intense emotional and visual density in most rooms.

Context and influences

Saville situates herself within a European figurative lineage, referencing artists from the old masters to modern figures such as Bacon and De Kooning. The show demonstrates how painting remains a vital means to investigate human experience today.

Practical information

• Venue: Galleria Internazionale di Ca' Pesaro, Venice
• Opening referenced: 28 March 2026
• Type: exhibition/retrospective of contemporary painting

This exhibition is recommended for visitors interested in intense painterly works and contemporary takes on figurative tradition, offering both technical richness and emotional depth.